Questions, suspicion and grief hang over in-custody death case

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Two days after a 33-year-old man died while in the custody of Kern County deputies, the questions and accusations are mounting.

David Silva died just after midnight Wednesday, minutes after a confrontation with deputies. Law officers reportedly tried to take Silva into custody for public intoxication, and Silva allegedly fought and resisted arrest. The sheriff's office has admitted to using "baton strikes" to gain control of the situation.

Friday morning, the coroner's office released its first post-autopsy comment, which left much unanswered: "After completing an autopsy, the cause of death is pending toxicology and microscopic studies."

Silva's family is now reacting, telling the public about the man they knew, and accusing the deputies of murdering their loved one.

Witnesses are also accusing deputies of beating Silva to death without just cause. They also claim the sheriff's office has targeted them for speaking out about what they saw that night.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Still more questions have been raised about the death of a suspect in Kern County Sheriff's Office custody. A witness to the incident asked why he was arrested hours after talking to a reporter, and a family questioned the way their cellphone video of the incident was seized.